Fatigue and commercial truck dangers
On Behalf of The Andres Lopez Law Firm , PA | September 30, 2022 | Motor Vehicle Accidents
Truck collisions are some of the worst accidents on Florida roads. Speeding, tailgating and other moving violations cause accidents, as does driving when overly tired.
The troubles with fatigued truck drivers
All drivers must prepare themselves to bring a vehicle to a stop unexpectedly. An accident could slow down traffic down the road, or a vehicle may stall. A tired driver might lose perceptual awareness and not realize that the road head is not clear, leading to a collision.
Tractor-trailers increase the dangers in an already dangerous situation. The size and weight of a semi-truck could inflict massive damage on the other vehicles and increase the chances of inflicting fatalities on any passengers. Therefore, it becomes critical for commercial drivers to avoid mistakes that lead to driving while too tired.
Federal and state laws require drivers to take breaks after operating their trucks for a set amount of consecutive hours. Failing to adhere to these breaks could be negligent, although even someone who follows the rules might still be too tired to drive. Working odd hours or suffering burnout might contribute to fatigue.
Fatigue comes from many sources
Other factors might cause a driver to feel the effects of sleepiness. The common cold could undermine alertness and cause drowsiness. Therefore, taking the road while suffering from a minor head cold or flu bug comes with risks.
And yes, a driver can face a negligence claim after causing any motor vehicle accidents due to tiredness, and deliberately taking to the road while exhausted could be a reckless decision that costs someone in their life. Other actions, such as blatantly ignoring rules regarding mandatory breaks, might be more clear-cut examples of negligence.
Sometimes, the truck driver’s employer could be liable for break violations, particularly if they force their workers to ignore statutory requirements.